Searching For That “X” Factor In Politcs

Whether we are weathering the best of times or the worst of times, we certainly are living in challenging times. Politics as usual don’t play anymore. The new technologies both require and make it easier to think outside of the box. Some of the GOP presidential contenders are certainly going down that path, while the inhabitant of the White House appears to be both trapped in an ideological time warp, as well as trying to channel past presidents’ successful tactics: first he tried copying Ronald Reagan, now he’s imitating Clinton’s mini bites of executive orders.

Both Herman Cain and Rick Perry have received a lot of grief – especially from the main stream media – for alleged “gaffes”. Another reading is that they have been getting pilloried for just being themselves and for not following the script dictated by conventional wisdom. And who or what makes up “conventional wisdom” anyway? Steve Jobs’ tremendous success derived from bucking it all the way. Indeed, it is far more important to be bold and have the courage of one’s convictions, because that’s what comes across every time. Mother Teresa was not a particularly good speaker, and yet, when she spoke, you could hear a pin drop in the audience so powerful was the conviction with which she spoke her words.

Cain has weathered the onslaught better, perhaps partly because his management experience and his upbringing have apparently trained him to take things in stride, and partly because he is an affable and excellent communicator who knows how to connect with people. Or, most importantly, because he is the genuine article and people instinctively pick up on that.

Perry likewise exudes a certain humanity which is very appealing, but so far he’s managed to get tongue-tied during the debates. It might help him to breathe deeply, prepare well but then just be himself – as he was on the Sunday Fox News show with Chris Wallace. We all remember Reagan as the Great Communicator, but his first forays into the world of debates were also less than fabulous. As soon as Reagan unshackled himself from his handlers and found his own voice, he went on to do great.

In any case, the times are different now, and Cain’s ad was spot on in terms of getting everyone to talk about it . . and it has ultimately increased his recognition factor. The fact that he only has had 6 paid staff members (with all the money that’s pouring in, that is probably in the throes of changing), actually speaks very well about him: he’s managed not only to get to the top of the leader board, but he has sustained his position with a lean and mean organization – and isn’t that exactly what we all supposedly want him to do in government?

Cain is the true post-racial candidate and it will be very interesting to see what happens with his candidacy. Whatever does happen, however, Cain has already made history as a Republican candidate who just happens to be black, and who rose through the ranks of the private sector by refusing to view himself as a victim even as he suffered slings and arrows because of the color of his skin, and by adhering to the tenets and work-ethic that made the U.S.A. the great country and economic power it is. If there ever was a clearer illustration of what America is truly all about, Cain is it.

Perry too has proved unconventional. Among other things, his original provocative “gaffes” probably helped propel him to the top of the pack because they were a breath of fresh air in our ever more PC world, and they caused a certain buzz about him that made everyone want to know more about him. More recently, he may have stepped on his message about his flat tax, BUT he once again kept himself in the news by keeping everyone guessing about whether he would or would not participate in future debates. As the saying goes, sometimes it is best simply to be talked about – whether good or bad. A bit of mystery is not bad thing. Now everyone is going to be very focused on the next debate to see how and what he does. It’ll be up to him to rise to his own challenge.

In the meantime, Perry must have something, because the main stream media has really gone after him hard. Regrettably he has also been at the receiving end of harsh criticism from fellow conservatives because of his treatment of kids in his State illegally through no fault of their own but condoned by the federal government. Regrettably, because that position could well swing the general election in his favor should he become the nominee – and, as Newt Gringrich declared, everyone needs to be constantly reminded to keep their eye on the ball, which is to get Obama out of the White House. Anything that helps achieve that goal, is a good thing. Plus, of all the contenders, Perry is the only one who has a strong trajectory of creating jobs as a governor – i.e. from within the political arena. Mitt Romney may have created a lot of jobs in the private sector, but it didn’t translate to the public arena when he was governor of Massachusetts. Cain also has a lot experience in the private sector, and it would be a question of seeing if he can use the public sector pulpit to do the same. Perry has already proven he can. Nevertheless, any one of them would be infinitely better than the present occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Speaking of Romney, it’s clear he’s both the establishment and the punditry’s big favorite, notwithstanding all his flippity-flopping and RomneyCare being the blueprint for ObamaCare. His bona fides in the private sector are a great asset in the current economic climate, and that may yet carry the day, BUT he’s a bit of a cold fish who doesn’t have that “X” factor that establishes a bond with the people. But again, Romney is a better bet than Obama any day of the year.

Newt Gingrich is a fabulous thinker, and comes across as the great patriarch of the Republican Party. He was a bit rusty in his political savoir-faire when he declared his candidacy, not having quite made the transition from commentator to candidate, but he has recouped his step and it will be interesting if the strength of his ideas will be enough to carry him to the finish line. In any case, any debate between him and Obama would be something to watch.

With regard to Obama, his new found religion on job creation has to ring absolutely hollow when one considers that he has been promising to focus on jobs like a laser from the day he was inaugurated, and instead he has focused like a laser on campaigning and his golf game. His new found interest is quite transparently directly tied to his wanting to keep his own job as 2012 comes closer. This is a man who has absolutely no credibility left: he has broken every single promise he ever made, and the one he has ostensibly kept – getting our troops out of Iraq – was done for political expediency, not according to a well thought-out military strategy. Indeed, if it had been done pursuant to military considerations, he would not have announced the withdrawal, which will only empower the Taliban and other forces to organize to take advantage of the situation once we are out. Obama took us all for a ride in 2008 with a complicit media. Nothing says he is not doing it again. So it rests to us, the people, not to be taken in again: fool us once, it’s your fault, fool us twice, it’s ours.

In addition, he should have his own words quoted back to him next time he rails against the Republican House: “elections count” as he peremptorily reminded McCain, and the Republicans won in 2010! And they were elected very especially and specifically to put a halt to his socialist agenda which is taking the country down the drain. So yes, they are trying to put a stop to his ill-conceived agenda! On the other hand, once in office — contrary to Obama’s flat-out misrepresentations – the Republicans have been very busy crafting real job creating bills which have been going nowhere in the democratically-controlled Senate.

Indeed, Obama’s agenda is inexplicable in the context of world trends and history. All the emerging countries are moving away from their socialist past embracing open market-driven economies – and the USA, the erstwhile champion of capitalism is going in the opposite direction towards socialism!! Any flavor of socialism — European or otherwise – has NEVER ever in history proven to be as successful as the capitalist system. The USA did not become the exceptional nation that it is by mere accident; it achieved that status through a model based on freedom of choice, personal initiative and personal accountability. That model also has been responsible for all the economic ”miracles”: from the Asian Tigers economic miracle, to the Celtic economic miracle, etc., etc., and for 30 years of unprecedented growth. However that is the subject of another article, which will explore the issue in greater depth.

In the meantime, the current plethora of Republican presidential candidates can hardly be described as “weak” – on the contrary, it reflects the perception of Obama’s weakness as the incumbent: not only has the unemployment rate refused to come down during his tenure, his debt in his first two years exceeding the debt of all his predecessors combined, etc., etc., but he is the first President in America’s history to be downgraded by a credit rating agency. Then there all the scandals – particularly Fast & Furious which is simply outrageous and has lead to the death of many innocent people — which had they happened under any Republican administration, there would be howls for impeachment!

Nevertheless, Obama has the main stream media protecting his back, giving echo to his campaign of dis and misinformation. Thus the importance that the Republican Party as well as the House Republicans, and the candidates make sure to get their message out to the people through all possible mediums available.